Ken at Popehat:The most alarming part of the article is not that he was arrested, or prosecuted, or sent to jail. The most alarming part is this:

"Chorley magistrates heard members of the public were so upset about his posts they reported them to the police."

Cripes. "Help us, police! Spare us from being offended!"

This was the part that really bothered me:

"The reason for the sentence is the seriousness of the offence, the public outrage that has been caused and we felt there was no other sentence this court could have passed which conveys to you the abhorrence that many in society feel this crime should receive."

here I was browsin through the latest issue of throb,When I saw bambi starin at me from the back of a milk carton.Well, my heart just dropped.So, I decided to do what any good christian would.You can not imagine how difficult it is to hold a half gallon of moo juiceAnd polish the one-eyed gopher when your doin seventy-fiveIn an eighteen-wheeler.I never thought missing children could be so sexy.Did I say that out loud?

As a Brit, I consider this as not only against freedom of speech but also vindictive punishment.

The law they used is never normally prosecuted. Calling Tony Blair or David Cameron a coont also falls under this law. Technically speaking its illegal to cuss on the phone or send photos of your penis to your girlfriend.

That's what is most objectionable about this case and makes an ass of the law. The law should be applied equally. The UK instead has huge numbers of laws that are only prosecuted when the authorities feel like it, which is actually like a feudal state.

farkeruk:The UK instead has huge numbers of laws that are only prosecuted when the authorities feel like it, which is actually like a feudal state.

That's the key to any authoritarian society. Make everyone a criminal, so that there's no question of if you can prosecute them, only if you will...subject to their behaving in accordance with the required patterns. Almost as popular in the U.S.

namegoeshere:Heinrich von Eckardt: reillan: It's assholey of him, sure, but I've seen worse on Fark. And laughed at worse. And posted worse.

I would have to disagree that you have posted worse.

This guy's electronic communication was so grossly offensive that it incited a mob of fifty to try to lynch him. He was arrested for his own safety.

You and the other Farkers are amateurs compared with this guy.

What did he post?

He said, "What's the difference between [the guy who raped and murdered the kid] and Santa Claus?

[the rapist] comes in April!"

Fark the Brits, I was making 9/11 jokes before lunchtime. Being an asshole is not a crime, I don't care what they think they're doing over there.

They probably threatened him with tens of thousands of dollars worth of legal costs vs. some community service. Lose years of your life fighting the charges or serve at a community centre for 100 hours? Take the hours and hope for superpowers.

Heinrich von Eckardt:reillan: It's assholey of him, sure, but I've seen worse on Fark. And laughed at worse. And posted worse.

I would have to disagree that you have posted worse.

This guy's electronic communication was so grossly offensive that it incited a mob of fifty to try to lynch him. He was arrested for his own safety.

You and the other Farkers are amateurs compared with this guy.

He didn't incite them, the newspapers that picked up on the story incited them. Such is the British way. They sit at home braiding rope and sharpening pitchforks waiting for the paper to be delivered so they can find out who to go and lynch.